Browns Release DE Ogbo Okoronkwo
Ogbo Okoronkwo recently emerged as a cut candidate, and he is indeed on the open market. The veteran edge rusher was released by the Browns on Thursday, per a team announcement. 
Okoronkwo had been in Cleveland since signing as a free agent in 2022. The former Texan operated as a part-time defender during his first three seasons in the league, but during his walk year he made eight starts and recorded five sacks. That uptick in usage and production resulted in a three-year, $19MM Browns pact being worked out.
While Okoronkwo, 30, managed to remain mostly healthy during his Cleveland tenure, he did not emerge as a starter capable of complementing Myles Garrett‘s production. Only after Za’Darius Smith was traded away midway through the 2024 season did Okoronkwo receive starts along the edge. In all, he managed just 7.5 sacks across 30 games with the Browns.
None of Okoronkwo’s base salary for this season ($2.24MM) was guaranteed. The former fifth-rounder was due a $1.5MM option bonus on August 30, so it comes as no surprise he has been let go before that date. Today’s move will generate $3.67MM in cap savings for Cleveland while incurring a dead money charge of $1.95MM.
Cleveland still has Garrett in the fold thanks to his $40MM-per-year extension signed this offseason. The team will move forward with Alex Wright and Isaiah McGuire as inexpensive rotational contributors in the pass rush department. Okoronkwo, meanwhile, will now hit the market as part of a free agent EDGE group including Smith and the likes of Matt Judon, Von Miller and Jadeveon Clowney.
It would come as little surprise if some or all members of that contingent waited until the start of training camps around the league to sign with their next team. As a result, Okoronkwo’s next opportunity may not be in place for several weeks. Given the nature of his Browns stint, he can be expected to take a low-cost deal covering 2025 in a bid to help his market value for next spring.
Steelers’ Aaron Rodgers Expects To Retire After 2025 Season
Retirement was floated as an option for much of the 2025 offseason in Aaron Rodgers‘ case. The future Hall of Famer will suit up for the Steelers this year, but it would come as a surprise if he did so in Pittsburgh or anywhere else after that. 
During his latest appearance on the Pat McAfee Show, Rodgers said he is “pretty sure” 2025 will be his final NFL season (video link). At the age of 41, he expectedly took a one-year pact earlier this month to take over starting duties with the Steelers. Today’s remarks all-but confirm the third chapter of his career will be a one-and-done endeavor.
“It’s been a long run and I’ve enjoyed it,” Rodgers added. “What better place to finish than in one of the cornerstone franchises of the NFL?”
2025 will mark Rodgers’ 21st season in the NFL and his 18th as a starting quarterback. A four-time MVP during his Packers tenure, things did not go according to plan upon being traded to the Jets. Rodgers suffered an Achilles tear four snaps into his New York debut, and a comeback attempt proved unnecessary with the team out of postseason contention in December. 2024 brought about a full slate of games, although he struggled with a number of ailments while only managing a partial return to his previous form.
Not long after the replacements for the Robert Saleh-Joe Douglas regime arrived, the decision was made to proceed with a Rodgers release. Conversations between team and player on that front did not result in an amicable parting of ways, but if left Rodgers free to contemplate his next opportunity. The Super Bowl winner spoke with the Giants and Vikings while also giving thought to ending his career. In the end, though, connections with the Steelers resulted in a visit and a long-running expectation a deal would be worked out. Pittsburgh remained patient, waiting until after the draft concluded and OTAs took place to finalize his pact.
As a result, Rodgers will become the Steelers’ seventh different signal-caller to start a game since Ben Roethlisberger retired. The team’s efforts to find a genuine successor have not yielded much in the way of success, and the Rodgers investment is of course a short-term bid to elevate Pittsburgh’s ceiling on offense. Even if this latest move works out well, a new long-term investment will be needed at the position next spring.
The Steelers reunited with Mason Rudolph in free agency, but he was informed at the time a starting-caliber addition was still being sought out. With no agreement being reached to keep 2024 passers Justin Fields or Russell Wilson in the fold, an outside addition proved necessary. Other veterans – such as Matthew Stafford – were higher on Pittsburgh’s priority list, but as expected he worked out a new Rams arrangement. Rodgers thus represented one of the preferable options regarding a one-year experiment.
The 10-time Pro Bowler is now three years removed from his most recent MVP campaign, and mobility will be an obvious area of concern for his debut Pittsburgh season. A healthy run of games could provide the Steelers with the chance to end their drought regarding playoff wins, though. Regardless of how things play out, a retirement announcement following the 2025 season is even likelier now than it already was.
Bears TE Colston Loveland In Line For Training Camp Return
Colston Loveland missed out on spring practices with the Bears as a result of his ongoing shoulder rehab. The first-round rookie continues to make progress toward a return to the field, however. 
Loveland was able to conduct limited individual workouts in recent months while continuing to recover. A clean bill of health in time for the start of the regular season remained a target at the time of the draft given his six-month timeline. Hitting that figure would involve a return to during training camp, and that is still the expectation at this point.
Head coach Ben Johnson said (via ESPN’s Courtney Cronin) the team believes Loveland will be cleared “at some point” in camp. Getting in at least limited reps during padded practices will of course be crucial for the Michigan product as he prepares to handle an offensive role right away. Expectations will be high early in the No. 10 pick’s career.
Loveland was the top tight end to come off the board, and he was firmly on the radar of plenty of teams other than the Bears to be a selection early in the draft. Chicago already has Cole Kmet in place, but adding Loveland to the mix will give them a high-end receiving option at the tight end spot. Given Johnson’s acumen as a play-caller, he will be expected to integrate Loveland into the fold – as part of a skill-position group also featuring wideouts D.J. Moore, Rome Odunze and second-rounder Luther Burden – rather quickly.
Loveland earned first-team All-Big 10 acclaim in 2023 while helping lead the Wolverines to a national championship. During his final college campaign, his AC joint injury cost him time and hindered his production as a result. Still, the 6-6, 248 pound pass-catcher received a second-team All-American nod for his impact on offense. Parlaying that into a strong early showing at the NFL level would help the Bears improve on offense and take a needed step forward during quarterback Caleb Williams‘ second year at the helm.
2025 also marks Johnson’s first year as a head coach, and his ability to develop Williams and Co. will be central to his success in the new gig. Loveland will be in position to handle at least a part-time offensive role in that effort, especially if he is able to receive full clearance early in training camp.
Bills CBs Tre’Davious White, Maxwell Hairston To Compete For Starting Spot
The Bills have one perimeter corner spot accounted for in the form of Christian Benford. He received a multi-year extension this offseason, something which was the case one year ago for slot man Taron Johnson. 
Benford and Johnson will be key figures on defense once again in 2025, but it remains to be seen who the other starting corner will be for Buffalo. The team reunited with Tre’Davious White in free agency, bringing back a former All-Pro who battled injuries during the end of his initial Buffalo tenure. He is a candidate to see first-team action during his second stint with the Bills.
Maxwell Hairston is of course in position to compete for an immediate starting role, though. The Kentucky product was selected 30th overall, making him Buffalo’s top draft choice. It came as little surprise a corner was targeted on Day 1 given the team’s need for another long-term (and comparatively inexpensive) investment at the position. According to The Athletic’s Joe Buscaglia, White and Hairston are the leading candidates to earn a starting spot during training camp (subscription required).
Describing the competition as “wide open” at this point, Buscaglia adds veteran Dane Jackson and sixth-round rookie Dorian Strong are in the mix as well. It would come as a surprise, though, if either of those two played their way into a first-team position ahead of Week 1. Nevertheless, training camp and the preseason will be key in determining how the team’s secondary takes shape.
White began last season with the Rams, but after starting each of the team’s first four games he found himself out of the lineup. The 30-year-old was then traded to the Ravens and he handled part-time defensive duties through the end of the regular season and the team’s divisional round loss to the Bills. Following that game, White made it clear he would welcome a return to Buffalo. That was indeed arranged via a one-year deal featuring $2.2MM in guarantees.
Hairston made little impact during his redshirt freshman season, but in 2023 he showcased his playmaking skills with five interceptions and six pass deflections. Limited to only seven games by a shoulder injury last year, he was unable to duplicate that production but remained a strong Day 1 candidate based on his speed (demonstrated by a 4.28 40-yard dash time at the Combine). Even if he is unable to earn an immediate starting gig, Hairston will be expected to emerge as a key figure in the secondary for years to come.
Buffalo traded away former first-rounder Kaiir Elam and elected not to re-sign Rasul Douglas this offseason, leading to changes at the cornerback spot. The Bills ranked 24th against the pass last year, and improvement in that area will be a goal for 2025. The pending competition will thus make for a notable training camp storyline.
Packers Discussing Extensions With RT Zach Tom, LB Quay Walker
Zach Tom has established himself as a key member of the Packers’ offensive line over the past two seasons in particular. One year remains on his rookie deal, meaning a free agent departure could be in store next spring. 
Efforts have begun to ensure that will not happen, however. Tom – Green Bay’s right tackle since the start of the 2023 season – has been the subject of recent extension discussions. General manager Brian Gutekunst is aiming to work out a long-term deal with the 26-year-old.
[RELATED: Packers Unlikely To Extend Gutekunst, HC Matt LaFleur]
“We’ve had really healthy conversations with Zach about locking him up,” Gutekunst said during an interview with Cheesehead TV (video link). “Certainly that’s something we’d like to do. These things take time.”
Tom entered the league with tempered expectations given his status as a fourth-round pick. He made five starts as a rookie, though, logging nearly 300 snaps at left tackle. He has operated at the opposite tackle spot on a full-time basis since then, finding success in that role. Tom ranked 15th in terms of PFF evaluation amongst qualifying tackles in 2023 and improved his overall mark to 85.8 last season. That figure was good enough for sixth overall.
As a result, a long-term investment in this case would make plenty of sense. Tom has not missed a game during his two years serving as the Packers’ right tackle, something which will help his bargaining power. The Wake Forest product is in line to collect $3.53MM this season, whereas 14 offensive tackles are currently attached to a deal averaging at least $11.5MM annually. Tom should not be expected to reach the top of the right tackle market (Penei Sewell at $28MM per year) on a second contract, but a notable raise will be in store if an agreement can be reached this summer.
To little surprise, Gutekunst added the Packers have also spoken about an extension with linebacker Quay Walker. Green Bay declined his fifth-year option this spring, since exercising it would have locked him into $14.75MM in earnings for 2026. The figure for linebackers is affected by pass rushers, so it has become increasingly commonplace around the NFL for off-ball players to see their options turned down.
Gutekunst has consistently maintained, however, that the Packers want to keep Walker in place beyond the coming campaign. The Georgia product has recorded at least 102 tackles in each of his three seasons to date, adding 6.5 sacks and 12 pass deflections along the way. Walker, 25, is due $4.4MM this year as he prepares for what will likely be an increase in time spent alongside 2024 second-rounder Edgerrin Cooper. A notable bump in pay will be needed if Walker is to remain in place for 2026 and beyond.
Green Bay is currently projected to be mid-pack in terms of cap space for 2026. Extending one or both of Tom and Walker would eat into their funds for next year, but deals on these fronts would keep more members of their young core in place for the long-term future. It will be interesting to see if an agreement is reached with either player before training camp opens next month.
Micah Parsons Still Aiming For Cowboys Extension Prior To Training Camp
The Cowboys’ offseason program came and went without a Micah Parsons extension agreement being reached. The threat of missed time (or at least non-participation) during training camp now exists, but the All-Pro is still targeting a deal being worked out before mid-July. 
“I’m pretty hopeful,” Parsons said about the timeline of an extension (via Jori Epstein of Yahoo! Sports). “I’m still hanging tight. I understand it’s up to [owner Jerry Jones] and he gives the green light on everything. So hopefully something’s done by next month.”
Parsons once targeted March as the time for a deal to be in place. Having his financial outlook sorted out ahead of free agency would have helped inform Dallas’ other moves this spring, but since the framework of an agreement was reached in person between Parsons and Jones there has been little progress in extension talks. In addition to finances, the length of a monster deal appears to be a sticking point between the parties.
The top of the pass rush market stands at $40MM annually, but T.J. Watt in particular represents a candidate to move the bar even higher. As Parsons (who is four years younger than Watt) waits to see how the Steelers fare with their top edge rusher, he could elect to delay signing a Dallas extension in a bid to become the league’s top earner at the position. As things stand, the Penn State product is due to earn $24.01MM on his fifth-year option.
A long-term deal will be worth far more, but it will be interesting to see if Parsons and the Cowboys – known to prefer longer term on their extension agreements – can find common ground on that front before finalizing the financial details of a contract. It took deep into the offseason last year for CeeDee Lamb and Dak Prescott to sign their respective pacts, and Parsons not having his in hand by the start of camp (July 21) would add further uncertainty to the Cowboys’ top storyline.
The two-time All-Pro previously stated he would attend training camp (and thus avoid mandatory fines) without taking part in on-field work. Parsons confirmed he will be in Oxnard, California during his latest remarks on his future, but when asked this time whether or not he would participate he replied, “we’ll see. Time will tell.”
CB Rasul Douglas Does Not Anticipate Packers Reunion
Rasul Douglas is among the notable corners still unsigned at this point of the offseason. The ninth-year veteran’s next destination is unclear, but a return to the Packers should not be expected. 
While responding on X to a fan’s question regarding a potential Green Bay reunion, Douglas made it clear he does not think that will happen. The 29-year-old played 36 games with the Packers during his tenure with the team, a run which came to an end when he was sent to the Bills ahead of the 2023 trade deadline. Douglas was a full-time starter in Buffalo, but he was not retained this spring.
The Seahawks lined up a free agent visit with Douglas in May, an indication of interest on the team’s part. No deal came of it, however. The former third-rounder is also known to be a potential Dolphins target as Miami prepares for a 2025 cornerback setup not featuring Jalen Ramsey. Alongside the likes of Kendall Fuller, Asante Samuel Jr. and Mike Hilton, Douglas will look to line up his next opportunity before NFL training camps open next month.
Talk of a Douglas return to Green Bay came about in the wake of the Jaire Alexander release. The Packers moved on from the two-time Pro Bowler after no trade partner could be found and a restructure could not be agreed to. Alexander’s absence leaves Green Bay without a full-time starter at the cornerback spot, but a move aimed at replacing him this summer should not be expected at this point.
Matt Schneidman of The Athletic writes an outside addition is not anticipated in the wake of Alexander’s release (subscription required). Green Bay has returnees Keisean Nixon and Carrington Valentine along with free agent addition Nate Hobbs atop the CB depth chart entering training camp. The team has also experimented with receiver Bo Melton at corner, although a full-time position change is not currently being planned.
The Packers find themselves near the top of the league in terms of spending power with over $35MM in cap space. An addition to their secondary would therefore be affordable, but pursuing one of the available options – especially Douglas – would come as a surprise.
PFR Originals: Steelers, Wilson, WRs, Linderbaum, Browns
Here is a rundown of PFR’s recent originals:
- Reviewing Steelers’ QB Moves: The post-Ben Roethlisberger era has not gone according to plan for the Steelers. I looked back at each of the six quarterbacks who have started games for them between Roethlisberger’s retirement and the expected Aaron Rodgers signing. The latter is only in place for 2025, and regardless of how he fares Pittsburgh will be tasked with finding a long-term solution next offseason.
- Previewing Fifth–Year Option Seasons: A number of high-profile members of the 2021 draft class have established themselves as stars and have received lucrative extensions as a result. Others are still in place with their respective teams but face an uncertain future beyond the coming season. Sam Robinson broke down each of the nine players currently set to play on their fifth-year option in 2025. That list includes the likes of Micah Parsons (Cowboys) and Rashawn Slater (Chargers) who have discussed big-ticket deals this spring and could wind up at or near the top of their respective markets.
- Looking Into Wilson Extension: The new Jets regime has a number of notable decisions to make regarding extensions for the team’s young core. One of those pertains to wideout Garrett Wilson, who is eligible for a long-term deal for the first time in his career. Nikhil Mehta took a look into a potential Wilson contract, one which could carry an annual average value of $30MM or more. The Jets also have a massive Sauce Gardner extension to work out, but locking up Wilson for the foreseeable future would represent a key feat as well.
- Evaluating WR Trades: Four veteran receivers have been traded this offseason, with three of those moves marking the first time in the player’s career they joined a new team. I polled PFR’s readers about which of the swaps – Deebo Samuel to the Commanders, Christian Kirk to the Texans, D.K. Metcalf to the Steelers and George Pickens to the Cowboys – will prove most beneficial. In each case but Metcalf’s, this year’s trades represented a rental agreement. Opinions were split, with three different options receiving at least 26% of the vote.
- Tracking Traded 2026 Picks: On the topic of trades, several swaps affecting picks in next year’s draft have already taken place. Sam listed each selection which has changed hands with several months remaining before the April 2026 event. That includes the Jaguars’ and Falcons’ first-rounders, which now respectively belong to the Browns and Rams.
- Detailing Linderbaum’s Extension Candidacy: The Ravens made the expected move of picking up safety Kyle Hamilton‘s 2026 fifth-year option, but they declined to do the same with center Tyler Linderbaum. The latter is thus a pending free agent at the moment, and Nikhil investigated an extension in his case. Linderbaum, 25, is already a two-time Pro Bowler and a long-term deal can be expected to bring him to (or at least near) the top of the position’s financial pecking order.
- Exploring Harris, Okoronkwo Cuts: With training camp not far away, roster cuts will become a main talking point around the league relatively soon. In the case of the Browns, that could see one or both of defensive tackle Shelby Harris or edge rusher Ogbo Okoronkw fail to make the team. I broke down the financial impact of a release in both cases, something which Cleveland will of course take into account when evaluating the final year of both veterans’ deals.
Latest On Raiders’ Secondary Plans
The free agent departures of Tre’von Moehrig and Nate Hobbs created notable vacancies in the secondary for Las Vegas. The team will have a number of new faces in place this year as a result, and training camp will see multiple battles for starting spots take place. 
During OTAs, free agent addition Eric Stokes and third-round rookie Darien Porter handled starting duties at the cornerback spots. Those two are in line to remain atop the depth chart through the summer as a result, but other options will content for a fist-team gig. One of those is Jakorian Bennett, whom The Athletic’s Tashan Reed notes is the top contender to earn a starter’s role during training camp (subscription required).
Bennett joined the Raiders as a fourth-round pick in 2023. He notched four starts as a rookie before seeing a notable jump in playing time last year. The 24-year-old logged a 71% snap share on defense, totaling eight pass breakups and managing to avoid allowing a touchdown as the nearest defender in coverage. Bennett has two years remaining on his rookie deal, so he will provide the Raiders with a cost-effective CB option even if he is unable to unseat Stokes and Porter this summer (an effort which will be aided once he recovers in full from a torn labrum suffered in November).
Darnay Holmes – who was only a part-time defender in 2024, his debut season with the Raiders – is in line to handle a notable role in the slot, Reed adds. Vegas could use a number of three-safety looks this season, though, especially given free agent addition Jeremy Chinn‘s tendency to play near the line of scrimmage. In cases where three safeties were used this spring, Lonnie Johnson Jr. came onto the field. The seven-year veteran could therefore find himself handling a notable workload on his latest team.
While the Raiders are not in the market for Jalen Ramsey, they have the cap space to make an addition or two in the secondary. One veteran corner who could be of interest, per Vincent Bonsignore of the Las Vegas Review-Journal, is Mike Hilton. The 31-year-old remains on the free agent market with his four-year Bengals run having come to an end. A veteran of 123 games and 56 starts, Hilton would give the Raiders another experienced option in the slot.
Plenty of time remains for the team to make moves affecting the secondary. Regardless of what takes place during the first training camp with the new regime, though, that unit will be one to watch closely.
Examining Steelers’ Post-Ben Roethlisberger Quarterbacks
For 18 years, the Steelers enjoyed stability at the quarterback spot with Ben Roethlisberger in place. The Super Bowl winner’s retirement after the 2021 campaign came as no surprise at the time, but it left the team in need of a long-term successor.
That still represents a notable vacancy beyond 2025 given Aaron Rodgers’ age. The 41-year-old expectedly took a one-year deal to head to Pittsburgh, and he will aim to provide the team with a high floor under center compared to his predecessors. As of next offseason, though, another effort will need to be made to find a signal-caller capable of holding down the starter’s role over an extended period and competing with the AFC’s top offenses.
Prior to the Rodgers signing, the Steelers took a number of paths in their attempts to find a genuine Roethlisberger successor. An examination of the quarterbacks who have been used since 2022 and their success (or, to an extent, lack thereof) in Pittsburgh helps explain the team’s willingness to bring in Rodgers under unusual circumstances.
Mason Rudolph (2018-23; 2025)
After not seeing the field as a rookie, Rudolph took part in a sustained run of action in place of an injured Roethlisberger in 2019. The Oklahoma State product won five of his eight starts, but he put up pedestrian numbers along the way. Backup duties were again his purview through the next three years. 
Playing on a pair of short-term deals, Rudolph became a familiar face on offense during his time in Pittsburgh. He only managed 13 starts across his first stint with the franchise, however, and the team’s moves following Roethlisberger’s retirement have illustrated the extent to which Rudolph is not viewed as a long-term QB1 option. The 29-year-old departed in free agency last spring.
Taking a one-year deal with the Titans, Rudolph found himself in and out of the lineup in 2024. Will Levis struggled to develop as the team hoped, and poor play along with injuries opened the door for Rudolph to see time atop the depth chart. The latter posted a new career high in passing yards per game (191) but he threw as many interceptions (nine) as touchdowns.
With Tennessee looking to find a new franchise passer via the No. 1 pick in April’s draft, Rudolph found himself on the move again. His return to Pittsburgh came with a warning of sorts from the team regarding the pursuit of a more established starter for 2025. A long wait ensued with the Rodgers deal taking until just before minicamp, but through the spring Rudolph sat atop the depth chart. Head coach Mike Tomlin publicly endorsed him as a starting option, but any first-team action in 2025 will come as an injury replacement.
Under contract for the next two years, Rudolph’s second Steelers stint will cover not only the Rodgers experiment but also the early development of sixth-round rookie Will Howard. He will operate as a familiar face (albeit not for offensive coordinator Arthur Smith) if and when given the opportunity to play this season before likely seeing another high draft investment made in the 2026 draft.
Devlin Hodges (2019)
A former undrafted free agent, Hodges wound up seeing a somewhat notable run during his one and only year of regular season NFL game action. The Samford product made a total of six starts, including each of the final five that year. The Steelers went .500 during his time at the helm, and Hodges avoided many turnovers in games Pittsburgh won. A three-game losing streak ensued to close out the campaign, however, and he threw six interceptions during that spell.
Hodges did not play his way into an extended tenure in Pittsburgh. He did manage to remain in the organization through the 2020 season, but that spell came about on the Steelers’ practice squad. The 29-year-old then landed a futures deal with the Rams in 2021, but he did not survive roster cuts.
Upon seeing his time in the NFL come to an end, Hodges made a brief attempt to continue his career north of the border. The 2022 campaign saw him make a total of four appearances in the CFL, but things did not go as planned on that front. Hodges retired in April of that year.
Mitch Trubisky (2022-23)
After his Bears tenure came to an end, the former No. 2 pick spent a single season handling backup duties with the Bills. Trubisky then joined the Steelers as their short-term starter (in anticipation of a more permanent option being drafted). Indeed, the first four weeks saw him occupy the top of the depth chart before the decision was made to move in another direction. Trubisky made another two starts but totaled just four touchdown passes on the year while putting up other numbers similar with his career averages. 
Upon signing a two-year extension, Trubisky remained in the fold but was less involved in Pittsburgh’s QB setup. The 30-year-old started two of his five appearances and was again unable to deliver a strong statistical impact. To no surprise, then, questions were raised about his tenure with the Steelers.
Last offseason, Pittsburgh proceeded with a full housecleaning under center. That effort included moving on from Trubisky with one year left on his deal. The North Carolina product finalized his next deal in short order by returning to the familiar role of QB2 in Buffalo. Options such as Trubisky are of course available every offseason, but especially with Rudolph back in place for 2025 and ’26 (along with Howard for the next four years) other high-floor, low-ceiling signings should not be expected in the near future.
Kenny Pickett (2022-23)
The 2022 draft class was widely considered an underwhelming one, but Pickett was long seen as the most pro-ready option for interested teams. The Steelers – more familiar with the Pitt product than most – were certainly among them, and it came as no surprise when they selected him 20th overall. 24 at the time his rookie campaign began, Pickett entered the league with high expectations in terms of being able to contribute right away and guide a team featuring a top-10 scoring defense to success.
Upon taking over QB1 duties from Trubisky, Pickett led three fourth quarter comebacks. A four-game winning streak to close out season was not enough for a playoff berth, however, and a 76.7 passer rating was one of several underwhelming individual statistics. Still, Pickett showed enough potential to begin the following season atop the depth chart.
In 2023, though, things did not develop as hoped. Pickett averaged just 173 passing yards per game while posting a 6:4 touchdown-to-interception ratio in 12 games. Limitations within Matt Canada’s offense were partially to blame, but after returning to full health from a sprained ankle Pickett found himself benched in favor of Rudolph. The latter handled starting duties down the stretch and during Pittsburgh’s wild-card loss.
With the Steelers eyeing competition for Pickett (at first) last offseason, the free agent signing of Russell Wilson made it clear the team was heading in another direction at the QB spot. Pickett requested to be dealt, and that did wind up taking place with his trade to the Eagles. Following one year as Jalen Hurts’ backup, the Super Bowl winner is now in a four-way QB competition in Cleveland.
A pending 2026 free agent, Pickett’s future remains highly uncertain. His career has certainly not gone as planned so far, and the Steelers’ decision to move on from him after only two years illustrates the risk associated with high draft investments (particularly in quarterback classes such as his).
Russell Wilson (2024)
Through the 2023 campaign, signs pointed to a parting of ways between Wilson and the Broncos. Denver did indeed proceed with a release despite the move generating an $85MM dead money hit. Before Wilson officially became a free agent, he was free to speak with interested teams. The Steelers were among them, and a one-year deal taking advantage of the offset money from his Broncos pact was arranged. 
Wilson spent the offseason in pole position for the starting gig, but a calf injury suffered late in training camp left him sidelined through the first six weeks of the campaign. Immediately upon returning to full health, though, Tomlin installed him as the team’s No. 1 in a move which was not unanimous. At first, the decision proved to be a sound one with the Steelers reaching a mark of 10-3.
That positive start to the season was met with a four-game losing streak followed by a lopsided wild-card loss. Wilson and the offense were not exclusively responsible for the struggles late in the year, but changes were seen as necessary to improve for 2025. At 36, Wilson would not have represented a long-term investment under center even if he had been retained.
As Pittsburgh looked elsewhere to find an internal or external starter, Wilson turned his attention to a few potential destinations. One of those was New York, and after visiting the Giants last offseason the Super Bowl winner joined them this time around. First-round rookie Jaxson Dart looms as a replacement as early as this season, but for now Wilson is set to operate as the starter on his fourth career team.
Justin Fields (2024)
Shortly after the Wilson signing, Fields found himself on the move from Chicago to Pittsburgh. The former No. 20 pick’s time with the Bears was known to be coming to an end once the team committed to selecting Caleb Williams first overall in the 2024 draft. As intended, general manager Ryan Poles sent Fields to the Steelers based on the chance that move provided for him to earn a starting spot.
Wilson’s calf issue opened the door to Fields leading the offense through the first six games of the campaign. Pittsburgh went 4-2 over that span, and his accuracy when at the helm (65.8% completion percentage) was by far the highest of his career. A 5:1 touchdown-to-interception ratio indicated at least incremental progress had been made compared to his Bears tenure. Fields added five rushing touchdowns in a demonstration of his dual-threat skillset.
Wilson’s return to health prevented Fields from being able to regain an opportunity in the QB1 spot. The latter being benched by Tomlin was a factor in his free agent decision. A number of suitors emerged for Fields, who wound up taking a two-year deal with the Jets containing $30MM in guarantees. Pittsburgh was interested in retaining the Ohio State product, even reportedly preferring him to a short-term Rodgers signing.
In the end, Fields will look to find long-term stability with the Jets. The 26-year-old would have represented a far younger option to most others available to Pittsburgh this year, but the team will count (for the immediate future at least) on Rodgers managing to remain healthy and return to an extent to his previous form. Fields’ $20MM AAV ranks 20th in the NFL amongst signal-callers, so it will be interesting to see if a similar investment on the Steelers’ part will prove to have been worthwhile in the long run.
Altogether, the sextet of Steelers passers between Roethlisberger and Rodgers posted a record of 37-31-1 between the regular and postseason. As the team looks to end its drought regarding playoff wins – which dates back to 2016 – even an incremental upgrade in play under center could be key. Provided Rodgers takes the field in Week 1, he will become Pittsburgh’s sixth different starter in a span of only 24 games dating back to December 2023 (h/t Chris Adamski of the Pittsburgh Tribune-Review).
Regardless of how things play out this season, selecting another new quarterback high in next year’s draft (as hosts) will be a Steelers priority. The outcome of the team’s most recent moves at the position demonstrate the consequences of being unable to find a long-term answer.